At the start of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola’s administration in Osun twelve months ago today, there was palpable apprehension that he was crawling.
‘But surprisingly at the 4th quarter of the first year, it became apparent that Oyetoĺa wasn’t just crawling, he’s running.
‘And it isn’t simply one sporty race to the tape, it is potentially a record breaking sprint to transform the state of Osun into one of the most vibrant economic hubs in Nigeria.
‘From available evidence thus far, the potentials are that this governor will excel beyond all our expectations’.
The above is how All Progressives Congress in the state of Osun surmarised the first year in office of the new APC Governor.
In a statement from that party’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, signed and circulated to newsmen in Osogbo today by its Director, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC was particularly delighted over the crowning event of the Economic Summit that ended a couple of days beforè Oyetola”s first year anniversary in office.
According to the party, ‘the outcome of that Summit clearly indicated the direction in which Oyetola is leading the state.
‘To get 22 industrialists and investors to signal their interests in Osun from within and outside the country; and indeed to have one of them all the way from Canada (in North America) make a commitment of 100 million naira to invest in the mining sector of the state economy is a massive achievement in itself’, the APC declared.
‘However, what should excite us the more’, the party continued, is the potentials for solid and rapid economic growth in Osun, which the summit outcome portends.
‘Investment is going to pour into this state like we have never seen before, creating job opportunities, transforming the economic landscape into a bubbling hub and making life easier, and business more profitable for all.
‘Success does not occur in the vacuum. First, it takes a vision, then a plan and a successful execution of that plan. Without these elements, success will elude anyone.
‘So, what seemed like a ‘crawl’ in the first quarter of the first year in office of Gov. Oyetola was actually preparing the grounds for a rocket take-off on a supper sprint to Osun’s economic transformation.
‘From what is unfolding in the state daily, a picture of the governor as a calculated, calm revolutionary is emerging. His strategic pre-development priorities are telling.
‘First, he is prioritising health care because he appreciates that only a heathy citizenry can produce a heathy economy.
‘Already he is 60 per cent through with refurbishing and/or creating well-resourced and supplied health centres in every ward of the state – there are 332 of them!!
‘Also, Oyetola is aware that no economy thrives in violent circumstance. He has therefore optimally supplied necessary assets to the security agencies to ensure that Osun remains peaceful – indeed one of the most peaceful states in the country.
‘The ease of doing business is a gateway to prosperity for any country. Infrastructure must be available and useable, and Oyetola has in the last year ensured this, especially those critical aspects that could impact business transactions.
‘Besides, welfare of workers has been one of his priorities since he assumed office. Their salaries continues to be fully paid and regularly.
‘Also, sequel to the promise of the Economic Summit, the Governor acted rapidly through Executive Order to create the new Osun Investment and Promotion Agency that will facilitate establishment of businesses by minimising bureaucracy.
‘Now, here we are celebrating the first year anniversary of Governor Oyetola in office. And already, the horizon is alight with potential development that will transform Osun from a so-called civil service state to an economically vibrant one.
‘Oyetola’s approach here is to utilise what the state has to get what it needs. Osun needs to industrialise and it is bent on using its natural resources to support industrialisation, which knock-on effect will create employment and prosperity.
Our hope is that this governor will go down in the history of the state as the one who stopped the state’s dependence on handout from the Federal Government, (that could barely pay salaries for less than 5 per cent of 4 million citizens), diversify the economy and brought prosperity to millions of our people.
‘Osun is grateful for the progress so far. We urge the governor and his team to continue to give their best in service to our people. It is the honourable thing to do.
‘Nothing rewards more than service to the people; it’s the veneration of God and the APC is happy with the direction the governor is going’.
